Adjustable light fixture

ABSTRACT

An adjustable light fixture recessible in a ceiling for directing light at various angles toward an object. A shade having an electric light bulb is suspended within a housing by a pair of multi-membered arms. Each arm is adjustable for moving the shade vertically. The shade is rotatably mounted to a handle for allowing the shade and bulb to pivot 180* about the horizontal mounting axis. The handle is rotatably mounted to a Ushaped bracket fastened to the pair of arms allowing the shade and bulb to rotate about a vertical axis. Stops are provided to prevent tangling of the electric wires.

May 2, 1972 Unite States Patent Miles, Jr.

g m .m 8 m H m 0 d 4 r 2 n 0 m m f h B w .m a H N m & a t. n d l mmm m mh Cb k Fm M m Mmwm w m B.. B m Am w m 0 an. rm m 1 M Q 0 1 mo e mW m O mm W m a m 2 mm la 9 nn M 2 PA [A 1 d .m .m ma Umm m m F c m "mO G mIfltw LM W F L w a V. B m M mm AEIJS T n Ste 0 Umm N ng l D v mhw AmAHAlight at various angles toward an object. A shade having an ectric lightbulb is suspended within a housing by a pair of membered arms. Each armis adjustable for moving the vertically. The shade is rotatably mountedto a handle for allowing the shade and bulb to pivot 180 about the 00 w4 2F m 3 3 W H 0 0 4 4 .2

horizontal mounting axis. The handle is rotatably mounted to a U-shapedbracket fastened to the pair of arms allowing the shade and bulb torotate about a vertical axis. Stops are pro- References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS l 2/1 893 l/l962 5 k .m 8 .m w a r. h .D 5 0, m n. mu nCm3 t n e V e r P o t d e .m V 0 B9 W W4 02 4 2m mn m Wn e e BWPATENTEDMAY 2 I972 3, 660,651

SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR. EARL F. MILES, JR.

BY M W M AT TORNEVB PATENTEUMAY 2 I972 3. 660.651

sum 2 or 2 INVENTOR. EARL F. MILES JR.

BY ll/mdm, MAM M Z Wm ATTORNEYS ADJUSTABLE LIGHT FIXTURE BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is an adjustablelight fixture.

2. Description of the Prior Art The display industry, particularlydisplay personnel for department stores, have been seeking a singlelight fixture which is adjustable both to give general illumination andto direct light at various angles at an object.

Thus, the single fixture could be used to light a general overall areaor could be used as an accent light. In the past when directing lighttoward an object to emphasize various features it has often beennecessary to move the object with respect to the light since the fixturewas not quickly and easily adjustable. In addition, many times twodifferent light fixtures were required to provide general illuminationand accent light. At least three United States patents have been grantedfor light fixtures. They are: U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,855,503 to Gerstel,3,263,072 to Kruger and 3,381,123 to Docimo.

From the above background it can be seen that there is a need for alight fixture which may be quickly and easily adjusted to light ageneral area and to direct light at an object at various angles. Thefixture should be adjustable in the vertical direction. In addition, thelight should be rotatable about a vertical axis and pivotable about ahorizontal axis. The light should be adjustable both when it is recessedin a ceiling and when it is extended from the ceiling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention involves a light fixturewhichmay be ad justed to direct light at various angles. The fixture hasa shade with an electric light bulb mounted therein and movable in thevertical direction by a pair of arms suspended within a housing. Theshade and bulb are rotatably mounted to a handle allowing the shade andbulb to pivot around a horizontal axis. The handle is rotatably mountedto the pair of arms by a U- shaped bracket allowing the shade and bulbsto rotate about the vertical axis. Stop flanges are attached to the armslimiting the movement thereby preventing tangling of the electric wires.

One object of the present invention is to provide a light fixture whichmay be quickly and easily adjusted for directing light at various anglesand for providing general illumination. The light fixture is adjustableboth when it is recessed in a ceiling and when it is extended from theceiling.

Related objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspectiveview of an adjustable light fixture incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the light shade and associated structureof the adjustable light fixture shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken along the line 33 in thedirection of the arrows of an arm connection of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of the adjustable light fixture of FIG. 1shown mounted to a plaster ceiling.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of the adjustable light fixture of FIG. 1with the shade pivoted to create a half-moon" light.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promotingand understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will nowbe made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specificlanguage will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless beunderstood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is therebyintended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrateddevice, and such further applications of the principles of the inventionas illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a fragmentaryperspective view of an adjustable light fixture 20 having an electriclight bulb mounted within beam-directing reflector or shade 70 which issuspended by arms within housing 21 mounted to a ceiling. Shade 70 maybe swiveled and moved vertically. In addition, shade 70 may be pivotedabout its horizontal mounting axis allowing for different lightingtechniques.

Housing 21 has a side wall 22 enclosing the arms and shade and iscovered on the top by wall 23. Threaded rods 24 have flat bottom endsfastened to side wall 22 by welds 48. The top threaded ends of rods 24pass through the top wall 23 with wing nuts 25 threaded thereon securingthe top wall to the side wall. The ends of the toggle arms 38 and 39supporting the light shade are rotatably mounted to right angle mountingbrackets 57 and 58 which are each fixedly fastened to side wall 22 bybolt 27, lock washer 26 and hex nut 28. Arm 39 has its top end rotatablymounted to flange 57 by nut 54, washer 55 and bolt 56. Likewise, arm 38has its top end rotatably mounted to flange 58 by a nut, washer andbolt. Rotatably mounted to the lower end of arm 39 is the top end of arm41. Likewise, rotatably mounted to the lower end of arm 38 is the topend of arm 40. FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 3--3and viewed in the direction of the arrows in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows thetop end of arm 41 mounted to the lower end of arm 39 by bolt 56 passingthrough the two arms and secured by nut 54. A flat washer 55 is locatedbetween the two arms allowing the two arms to rotate about the axis ofthe bolt. The mounting arrangement shown in FIG. 3 is identical with themounting arrangement used to mount lower end of arm 38 to the top end ofarm 40. Likewise, the same mounting arrangement is used to mount the topend of arm 38 to flange 58 and the top end of arm 39 to flange 57.

Rotatably mounted to the bottom of toggle arms 40 and 41 (FIG. 2) isU-shaped bracket 50 which in turn is mounted to a yoke or shade handle60 for supporting shade 70. The lower end of arm 41 is rotatably mountedto one of the top ends of U-shaped bracket 50 by bolt 43 and nut 44.Likewise, the lower end of arm 40 is rotatably mounted to the other topend of U-shaped bracket 50 by bolt 42 and nut 45. Shade handle 60 has agenerally inverted U-shaped configuration with its top middle portionrotatably mounted by bolt 75, flat washer 76 and hex nut 77 to thehorizontal portion of U-shaped bracket 50. Rotatably mounted to thelower ends of shade handle 60 is the light shade 70. Bolt 71 freelypasses through arm 78 of shade handle 60 and through the side wall ofshade 70 and is secured thereon by hex nut 74. A look washer 72 islocated between arm 78 and shade 70 and lock washer 73 is locatedbetween hex nut 74 and shade 70 thereby allowing shade 70 to rotateabout the axis of bolts 71. Arm 79 of shade handle 60 is likewiserotatably mounted by a bolt, lock washers, and nut to the opposite sideof shade 70.

Shade 70 is cup-shaped having its open end at the bottom allowing thelight from bulb 80 to shine out. As shown in FIG. 2, bulb 80 isthreadedly received into socket 81 which is fastened to the top wall ofshade 70. Socket 81 is conventional in nature and is fastened to the topwall of shade 70 by screws 82 (FIG. 1). Wires 83 (FIG. 2) exit socket 81covered by insulation 84 passing through the side wall of shade 70. Asnap bushing 85 is secured to the side wall of shade 70 allowing theinsulated wire to exit therethrough. Wires 83 then connect the socketwith the source of electrical energy passing through connector 29 (FIG.1). Connector 29 is secured to wall 23 by nut 31 threaded onto thebottom end of connector 29. Screw 32 is provided on connector 29 havinga blunt end for securing the wires passing through the hollow center ofconnector 29.

It can be appreciated that wires 83 may become tangled between thevarious arms suspending shade 70 as the shade is moved vertically,swiveled or pivoted. Therefore, the present adjustable light fixture 20incorporates several features for precluding injury to wires 83. Forexample, a standard cable clip 86 (FIG. 1) secures the insulated wiresto shade handle 60. Similar clips may be employed on other arms securingthe cable thereto. As shade 70 is swiveled or rotated about the verticalaxis, the insulated wires will become twisted around the arms if therotation of the shade is not limited. Therefore, means have beenprovided on the arms to limit the amount of rotation. Referring to FIG.2, Flange 64 extending upward is welded to the horizontal portion ofshade handle 60 in such manner so as to abut against a horizontallyextending flange 51 welded to one of the vertical arms of U-shapedhandle 50. Thus, shade handle 60 may be rotated one complete revolutionabout the longitudinal axis of bolt 75. Further revolution in the samedirection is prevented when flange 64 abuts against flange 51.

Referring to FIG. 1, a similar flange 46 is secured to the top end ofarm 40 for abutting aginst the lower portion of arm 38 thereby limitingthe downward movement of the apparatus. Likewise, flange 47 is securedto the top portion of arm 41 for abutting aginst the lower portion ofarm 39. Cut outs 52 and 53 are provided respectively on arms 38 and 39to allow for clearance when the shade is in the most upward position ofthe fasteners used to secure arms 38 and 40 together and arms 39 and 41together. Arms 38 and 39 have equal lengths less than the internaldiameter of housing 21. Arms 41 and 40 also have equal lengths but areshorter than arms 38 and 39.

Adjustable light fixture may be mounted to a suspended ceiling or to aplaster ceiling. FIG. 1 illustrates the mounting of the adjustable lightfixture to suspended ceiling. Fastened to the outside of housing 21 is astandard mounting frame 33. Mounting frame 33 is secured to the lowerportion of side wall 22 by screw 35 and nut 36. Mounting frame 33 has ahorizontal wall 95 extending around wall 22 and is integrally attachedto a vertical wall 96 also extending around housing 21. Mounted withinhousing 21 is trim member 67 which extends out the bottom opening ofhousing 21 abuttingly engaging the lower portion of frame 33. Trimmember has a hole in its center for allowing shade 70 to be pulledthrough and is mounted to the inside of wall 22 by butterfly springmountings 68. Mounting 68 has bracket 97 welded to the outside surfaceof tram member 67 extending upward with a rod 98 fixedly fastened to itstop. Spring 99 is wrapped around rod 98 is such a manner that the twoends of the spring extend upward. A right angle bracket 65 is welded tohe inside surface of wall 22 having two grooves 100 for each receivingone end of spring 99. The ends of spring 99 are bent at a right angleaway from each other enabling trim member 67 to be pulled downward awayfrom housing 21 without spring 99 becoming disengaged from bracket 65.Thus, the distance between horizontal wall 95 of mounting frame 33 tohorizontal wall 101 of trim member 67 may be adjusted in accordance withthe thickness of ceiling tile 87. The tiles in a suspended ceiling aregenerally supported by inverted T-shaped bars 88 having horizontalflanges supporting the lower surface of the ceiling tile. Mountedperpendicular to the top of bars 88 are C-shaped bars 89. A right anglebracket 90 is used to mount horizontal wall 95 to the vertical wall ofbar 89. Screw 93 and nut 94 are used to securely fasten horizontal wall95 to right angle bracket 90 and screw 91 and nut 92 are used to securebracket 90 to bar 89. Thus, adjustable light fixture 20 may be readilymounted to a suspended ceiling. Likewise, the adjustable light fixturemay be mounted to the traditional plaster ceiling by disengaging spring99 from brackets 65 and removing trim member 67 from the light fixture.The light fixture is then inserted into a hole in the plaster ceiling asshown in FIG. 4 and screws 102 and wing nuts 103 are used to securehorizontal wall of mounting frame 33 to plaster ceiling 104.

It will be evident from the above description that the adjustable lightfixture allows the shade and light bulb to be adjusted vertically in theextreme upward and downward posi tions or in any intermediate position.Thus, the light fixture may be adjusted in the recesses position asgenerally shown in FIG. 5 or in the extended position as generally shownin FIG.

1. Likewise, the light fixture ma be adjusted at any intermediatelocation. n one embo ment of the light fixture,

shade 70 was extendable one foot from the fully recessed position andwas adjustable along the entire 1 foot distance. It will be furtherevident that the shade and light bulb may be swiveled or rotated aboutthe vertical axis 360 and may be ivoted 180 about a horizontal axis. Itis also possible to create a half-moon lighting effect 105 bypositioning shade 70 within housing 21 as shown in FIG. 5 and bypivoting the shade in such a manner so that a portion of the lightemitted from bulb 80 is blocked by the structure of the fixture. It willalso be evident from the above description that the light bulb and shademay be extended from the housing to provide general illumination. A

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionand the scope of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. A display lighting fixture assembly for recessed mounting in a wallor ceiling, said assembly comprising a tubular housing having a mountingflange at one of its ends adapted to mount said housing endsubstantially flush with a wall or ceiling surface with the body of thehousing extending inwardly from said surface, a beam-directing reflectordisposed in telescoping relation within said housing with the reflectorspaced from the inner surface of the housing wall, a yoke supportingsaid reflector for angular adjustment within said housing about an axisnormal to the longitudinal axis of said tubular housing, and extensiblemounting means for the reflector permitting its withdrawal from withinthe housing, said mounting means comprising two sets of extensibletoggle levers extending within said housing in opposed spaced relationand having the corresponding lever ends pivotally supported at generallydiametrically opposite points within said housing, a bracket memberextending between and pivotally joined to the corresponding spaced leverends remote from said pivotally supported lever ends, a single fasteningmember centrally joining said reflector supporting yoke and said bracketthereby permitting said reflector to swivel with relation to saidbracket and toggle arms and to be angularly tilted with relation to saidsupporting yoke both when said toggle arms are retracted so thatreflector is within said housing and when said toggle arms are extendedso that said reflector extends outside said housmg.

2. A display lighting fixture assembly as claimed in claim 1 having atrim member masking the end of said housing adjacent said reflector anda supporting connection of adjustable length extending between saidhousing and trim-member to permit selective spacing of the trim memberfrom said housing end.

3. A display lighting fixture assembly as claimed in claim 1 in whichsaid yoke carries a stop cooperating with said bracket to limit swivelmotion of said reflector to 360.

1. A display lighting fixture assembly for recessed mounting in a wallor ceiling, said assembly comprising a tubular housing having a mountingflange at one of its ends adapted to mount said housing endsubstantially flush with a wall or ceiling surface with the body of thehousing extending inwardly from said surface, a beam-directing reflectordisposed in telescoping relation within said housing with the reflectorspaced from the inner surface of the housing wall, a yoke supportingsaid reflector for angular adjustment within said housing about an axisnormal to the longitudinal axis of said tubular housing, and extensiblemounting means for the reflector permitting its withdrawal from withinthe housing, said mounting means comprising two sets of extensibletoggle levers extending within said housing in opposed spaced relationand having the corresponding lever ends pivotally supported at generallydiametrically opposite points within said housing, a bracket memberextending between and pivotally joined to the corresponding spaced leverends remote from said pivotally supported lever ends, a single fasteningmember centrally joining said reflector supporting yoke And said bracketthereby permitting said reflector to swivel with relation to saidbracket and toggle arms and to be angularly tilted with relation to saidsupporting yoke both when said toggle arms are retracted so thatreflector is within said housing and when said toggle arms are extendedso that said reflector extends outside said housing.
 2. A displaylighting fixture assembly as claimed in claim 1 having a trim membermasking the end of said housing adjacent said reflector and a supportingconnection of adjustable length extending between said housing and trimmember to permit selective spacing of the trim member from said housingend.
 3. A display lighting fixture assembly as claimed in claim 1 inwhich said yoke carries a stop cooperating with said bracket to limitswivel motion of said reflector to 360* .